. . .(Or should be)
A complete change from being at home.
One of those possibilities is to take a luxury cruise. The luxury cruise market is known by other names as well. Some dub them upscale, premium plus or high-end. They are an experience!
These terms generally refer to the more elegant ships, usually smaller vessels, where luxury is the operative word. Of course passengers can expect opulent public rooms, large suite-like cabins tastefully furnished with wonderful bathrooms and verandahs, personalized stationary on the desk, your personal choice beverages in the bar and a room steward or stewardess (or a butler at the really high end) who will unpack, have your clothes ironed or just pop some corn for an evening in the cabin watching a DVD.
Meals are gourmet, no waiting on line, eat when you want. It's not a bad way to go.
Seabourn Cruises is a case in point. I have had several marvelous cruises sailing on the line's older vessels and spent two nights a couple of months ago exploring the new Seabourn Sojourn. Bruce Good, Seabourn's director of public relations says the Seabourn side of the cruise market has been "under penetrated." He adds the luxury market has barely scratched the surface and with more product -- Seabourn went from a line with 600 beds to one with 2,000 -- it is time to amp up awareness.
I have many fond memories of many cruises I've enjoyed in more than three decades of writing about the industry.
One of the most memorable is the concept, on Seabourn, where no woman EVER crosses the dining alone. She is always accompanied by a captain whether she enters with a male companion or not.
It is a lovely touch and typical of the consideration these lines show for the individual.
Other lines that fit this category are Crystal for big ship luxury; Silversea, Oceania, Regent, and Hapag Lloyd.
Many of the lines offer early booking discounts which cut the per person price considerably, making the value irrestible.
And of course, when I want popcorn at home, I have to put it into the microwave.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment